Draft - Minutes January 2025
DRAFT MINUTES OF LUDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council Meeting was held on 9 January 2025 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger
Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt
Cllrs Mrs Brader & Fisher
1. Apologies
Cllr Fry (ELDC).
2. Minutes of Meeting
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 November 2024 were approved and signed.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no “Matters Arising”, but the Chairman took the opportunity to thank Cllr Fisher and Mr Brader for erecting/taking down the Christmas tree. The Chairman attended to the trip switch and has stored the lights.
4. Correspondence
ELDC-Electoral Update, Lincs Wolds-Leaflet & LALC News (received via email), Clerks & Council -all noted.
5. Finance
The Clerk distributed a statement of Income and Expenditure which met the Council’s approval.
Clerks Salary-Nov £483.82 LALC-Subscription £167.38
L&DPFA-Hall Hire £120.00 Brit Gas-Lighting £9.63
All accounts were received and agreed for payment.
Church Floodlighting-Item moved from 7. Business.
The Chairman advised that the floodlighting at the church would remain with current supplier and Cllr Fisher offered to organise a timer for the lights.
Cllr Fisher advised that he had not been able to undertake repair of the noticeboard, in part due to inclement weather and for personal reasons. He would attend to this item as soon as was practically possible.
8. Reports
Village Hall Committee – The Chairman reported that the Christmas Fair had been very successful, as had Paul Humpries on 06/12/24. There will be a half-term Bingo, another “Wellness Day” on 05/04/25 and the monthly Country & Western event.
Speeding/Traffic Calming
The Vice-Chairman reported that the Speed Calming group were resting for the winter, but the speeding particularly through the village was increasing.
Defibulator
The Vice-Chairman reported that the unit was in working order and the unit at the Café was also operational, but training was yet to be agreed and undertaken.
9. Business
Co-option of Councillor
The Council had received an application from a Parishioner, along with a brief resume. Following discussion, it was
RESOLVED to co-opt Dr Lofts MBE onto Ludford Parish Council as a Councillor.
Grasscutting
The Clerk had obtained grasscutting quotes, which the Committee considered. It was agreed to contact the current contractor to ask if he could re-assess his quotation, due to the cost and also to contact the other contactor to check whether they hold the requisite insurance and clarify some queries.
The Chairman advised that of the 5 Platinum Himalayan birch trees planted, only 3 had survived, 3 stakes were missing and would require re-stacking.The Grasscutting contractor needed to be reminded to take care when carrying out their duties.
Moving Bank Account
The Clerk had spoken to the bank, but they would not be willing to forfeit the charges they intend to introduce on the current accounts held. The best option appeared to be moving to TSB, which although would not provide any interest, there would be no charges on the account. NALC appeared to have no other suitable alternatives, that were not on-line banks of unknown credentials.
Projects for 2025/26, Budget, Precept
The Committee noted the amended draft Budget, along with the increased costs of grasscutting, electricity, the cost to repair the noticeboard and the general increase in all running costs. At the November Meeting the Committee had agreed not to allocate funding to the purchase of plants for the planters, or a further entrance gate. Following discussion,, there was no option other than to increase the Precept by a considerable amount and it was
RESOLVED i) to accept the draft Budget, with an increase of the Precept to £7000, noting that the tax base for Band D parishioners would increase by £15.51.
ELDC – Planning Applications
The Council still awaited a decision on: Planning Application N/108/01076/24 Mr & Mrs Sand-The Old Workshop, Magna Mile & N/108/01763/24 Annyalla Chicks (UK) Broiler Breeders Ltd-Brooklyn Magna Mile. Second application was received in November, the Parish Council had advised ELDC that it would appreciate the developers coming to discuss the concerns of the Parish Council, so that the company could fully explain what measures they would deploy to resolve the concerns listed below and to avoid pollution of the River Bain. An ammonia test of the River Bain should be conducted as soon as possible.
RESOLVED to object to N/108/01763/24 Annyalla Chicks (UK) Broiler Breeders Ltd on the following grounds:
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Visual impact & design - the new chicken sheds are much bigger in size, their size and design will have an impact on the village. The removal of trees in this area will affect the visual impact of the site itself and the village;
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Privacy/overbearing - there are trees being removed, this will affect privacy. The trees should be protected and only hand tools should be used when working near them, we have seen the damage caused by contractors on another site in the village and the total lack of adherence to planning restrictions;
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Noise & Smell - the current chicken business creates a smell of ammonia oudour, which will only increase with the larger operation, this would affect nearby houses and particularly the Cafe business. Our major concern is any pollution going into the River Bain, which is a nationally important Chalk Stream;
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Ecology - there is a permissive footpath, which is currently in use, will this still be walkable during and after the erection of the new sheds?
HRH Bench
Cllr Fisher advised that he had not been able to undertake repair of the bench, for the same reasons as the noticeboard. He would resolve these items as soon as was possible.
Overgrown Footpaths
The Committee noted that the issue appeared resolved. The road sweeper had not been into the village to attend to the village verges, therefore, the paths and roads were getting very muddy-Clerk to contact County Council. The Vice-Chairman advised that the litter-picking would continue, she would register as a “Litter-picker” and that District Council would come and collect items, as they had had at Sixhills and other areas.
10. Matters for Discussion
The Committee noted that the village sign had been damaged/blown down in the strong winds/rain, Clerk to check excess and to enquire whether there were any grants available.
The Committee noted that some clearing of the River Bain had been carried out from Viking Way to back of school. Riparian Rights ran along the river. The Chalk Stream Project would be returning in the summer.
11. Date of Next Meetings
Thursday 20 March 2025 at 7.30 pm. Meeting closed 9.30 pm.
Signed ................................... Chairman/Vice-Chairman Date ....................